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Moto2: Luthi wins as Lowes taken out by title rival Zarco

Thomas Luthi took victory in this afternoon’s Moto2 British Grand Prix after home hero Sam Lowes was taken out of the race by a controversial lunge from title rival Johann Zarco with three laps to go.

Having topped every session from practice through warm-up, Lowes was a clear favourite to take victory in front of home crowds and a strong start saw him settle behind early race leader Johann Folger in the opening stages.

Making his move on the third lap, Lowes looked to maintain a steady gap to the riders behind with series leader Zarco also in the mix. The 2013 World Supersport Champion dropped back to third behind Luthi and Zarco with ten laps to go, before further losing time when following Zarco wide into the complex.

Determined to make up the lost ground, Lowes closed in the leaders in a matter of corners before making a move for second at Aintree with three laps to go. However, Zarco would come back on the Briton with an over ambitious lunge into Brooklands corner. Running wide, the Frenchman ploughed into the side of Lowes’ Kalex and knocked him out of the race.

Having ran on, Zarco was able to rejoin and finish sixth but was later handed a 30 second penalty which saw him drop behind Lowes, who finished 21st, in the final result.

Franco Morbidelli got the better of Takaaki Nakagami after a last lap battle for second, with Syahrin taking an impressive fourth place. Jonas Folger finished fifth.

Alex Rins enjoyed a strong ride despite having broken his collarbone in the build-up to the weekend, his seventh place sees him move within 10 points of Zarco in the championship standings.